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09/23/05, 10:16 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 117
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Chinese Diese Generator
I am coming up on my fourth year off the grid. I am looking at upgrading from a 5KW gas generator to a 10KW-12KW Chinese diesel generator. (e.g.
CHANGCHAI). Does anybody have any experience with the Chinese diesel gensets? Backwoods Home did an article on them. Their conclusion was they were a good deal with the caveat that you needed to be something of a mechanic and learn your particular unit. Anybody out there have any real world experience that they'd share? Thanks.
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09/23/05, 10:27 PM
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Goshen Farm
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Join Date: May 2004
Location: Zone 8a, AZ
Posts: 6,191
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boy i sure dont but would be interested in finding out more about them myself. we are looking at replacing our gas generator within the next year as we seem to be wearing them out quicker than anticipated. so ....i'll be a watching this thread!
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09/24/05, 11:09 AM
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Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 3,773
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If your going to go the chineese diesel route, Make sure you get a generator that is a rip off some a kubota or yanmar engine. The Yanmar L1-a is a great little motor and there are a number of licensed and unlicensed chineese designed motors. IF your going to 10kw then seperate engine/genset might be the way to go. The utterpower link is a good one. Ebay has some folks selling diesel genset but you need to find a seller who is close by. Shipping will kill you.
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Originally Posted by copperhead51
I am coming up on my fourth year off the grid. I am looking at upgrading from a 5KW gas generator to a 10KW-12KW Chinese diesel generator. (e.g.
C
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Gary in Central Ohio
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09/25/05, 02:52 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: washington state
Posts: 26
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chinese diesel generator
we bought one 3 years ago at an auction for around $1000 (25 kw). in its prior life it powered a wa state ferry. it's been wonderful. we had to add a radiator because originally it was sea-water cooled. the only repair we did was to tighten the fan belt. i change the oil regularly, that's it. i run it an hour a day (at about a gallon of diesel/hr) to keep the storage batteries at 75%; it powers the whole house (refrigerator/freezer, washer, dryer, water pump, tv, computer, etc.). i had been warned NOT to go chinese diesel (dirty, loud) but have had no trouble. our neighbors paid A LOT MORE for their propane generator and i see the propane truck more often than i see the diesel delivery truck! sammy lives in his uninsulated house a few feet from the people house and he's not nearly as dirty and noisy as i was told he would be. so: my experience has been great! a couple of months ago i bought another diesel (back-up) generator (it's a welding generator, 8 kw) - i'm sold on these guys (even at nearly $3/gal for diesel)!
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09/25/05, 05:39 AM
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Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 625
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In my opinion, diesel, is the only way to go. The below link sells great Detroit Diesel heavy duty generators, also. Parts, service, all easily available.Also, very to ship.
http://www.affordablepower.com/Generators.htm
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09/25/05, 08:42 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 160
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Not to change the post subject but i would like to hear about your little 5kw gas generators as i would like to buy one for back up. What kind do you have and what problems are there with the little gennys. Thanks
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09/25/05, 07:15 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 117
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Thanks to everyone!
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Originally Posted by UncleTom
Not to change the post subject but i would like to hear about your little 5kw gas generators as i would like to buy one for back up. What kind do you have and what problems are there with the little gennys. Thanks
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Thanks for the replies. My 5KW is a Wal-Mart generator. I have had this one for 16 months. I haven't had ANY problems with it but they just aren't made to run like a slow running diesel. Gas generators, as a rule, run 3600 revolutions per minute (RPM). This just wears them out. Most diesel generators run 1800-2200. Also, if you get a water cooled model, they're going to last a very long time. The Wal-Mart generator is $500.00. You can get a new Chinese 10-12KW for about $1300 plus shipping.
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09/25/05, 09:22 PM
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Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 7,883
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Don't forget that you will have to deal with diesel fuel and cold weather gelling if your in a place where it gets very cold.
One of the problems with the $500 gas gennys is Very poor voltage regulation. They will do ok for running "construction site" equipment but your taking a chance if your using it to power your good electronics.
A friend caused pricey damage to his big Trace 4048 inverter not once but twice, with his cheap $500 genny.........he wouldn't learn.....
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09/26/05, 05:03 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 160
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Thats the things i wanted to know cause id like to have a back up genny if it would run the furnace ok, but the furnace i know has a circut board in it and i would hate to wreck the electronics in it. Thanks
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09/26/05, 05:18 AM
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Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 3,773
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Jim-mi
One of the problems with the $500 gas gennys is Very poor voltage regulation. They will do ok for running "construction site" equipment but your taking a chance if your using it to power your good electronics.
A friend caused pricey damage to his big Trace 4048 inverter not once but twice, with his cheap $500 genny.........he wouldn't learn.....
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The trace 4048 will handle 80-150 volts input and most(even $500) can meet that without issue. If you lost a trace, I doubt it was the generator. Most cheap generators might be off voltage a few volts but will generally maintain the voltage except during engine start and stop. If you isolate the engine from the load before you stop or start it you should have a stable voltage. My bet is the person let the generator run out of fuel and during that time voltage will vary.
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Gary in Central Ohio
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09/26/05, 05:57 AM
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Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 117
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On the cheap 5kw
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Originally Posted by UncleTom
Thats the things i wanted to know cause id like to have a back up genny if it would run the furnace ok, but the furnace i know has a circut board in it and i would hate to wreck the electronics in it. Thanks
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I run computers and everything I own on it and have had no problems.
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09/26/05, 05:58 AM
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Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 117
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How?
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Jim-mi
Don't forget that you will have to deal with diesel fuel and cold weather gelling if your in a place where it gets very cold.
One of the problems with the $500 gas gennys is Very poor voltage regulation. They will do ok for running "construction site" equipment but your taking a chance if your using it to power your good electronics.
A friend caused pricey damage to his big Trace 4048 inverter not once but twice, with his cheap $500 genny.........he wouldn't learn.....
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How did a generator hurt an inverter???
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09/26/05, 06:02 AM
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Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 117
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Questions
Quote:
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Originally Posted by magdabauer
we bought one 3 years ago at an auction for around $1000 (25 kw). in its prior life it powered a wa state ferry. it's been wonderful. we had to add a radiator because originally it was sea-water cooled. the only repair we did was to tighten the fan belt. i change the oil regularly, that's it. i run it an hour a day (at about a gallon of diesel/hr) to keep the storage batteries at 75%; it powers the whole house (refrigerator/freezer, washer, dryer, water pump, tv, computer, etc.). i had been warned NOT to go chinese diesel (dirty, loud) but have had no trouble. our neighbors paid A LOT MORE for their propane generator and i see the propane truck more often than i see the diesel delivery truck! sammy lives in his uninsulated house a few feet from the people house and he's not nearly as dirty and noisy as i was told he would be. so: my experience has been great! a couple of months ago i bought another diesel (back-up) generator (it's a welding generator, 8 kw) - i'm sold on these guys (even at nearly $3/gal for diesel)!
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What size battery bank do you have that gets you through all day? What kind of battery charger are you using that charges your batteries in an hour? Thanks!
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09/26/05, 09:04 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: washington state
Posts: 26
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chinese diesel generator
we have 4 12V deep-cycle batteries, a clarke battery charge-booster, and a trace inverter. i bought a very highly insulated HUGE refrigerator/freezer (freezer on the bottom) and turn it off at night (it retains temperature without cycling because nobody's up to open the door). i can use the electric dryer only when the generator's running. all our light bulbs are the energy-saving kind. i watch my energy use without being stingy, for example, i now make coffee with an old-fashioned corning basket-kind (drip) coffee pot on the stove rather than with an electric coffee maker, use the microwave sparingly, and shut off all electrical things that have clocks running even when the appliance is off (microwave, radios, tv).
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09/26/05, 10:24 AM
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Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: maine
Posts: 555
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got a friend down the road that has a generator that he starts with gas then runs it off wood chips. I will get some photos this week and if anybody is instreated let me know. With gas this high I think if it works it will be the way to go
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09/26/05, 01:30 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 107
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Yup, diesel is the way to go. Get yourself a WVO conversion kit and you can run used veggie oil from the local fast food places like Waffle House instead of Diesel - just start and shutdown on Diesel - or make your own Bio Diesel - that's an added bonus if you have a diesel vehicle. If it gets really cold, you can installl a heating blanket on your diesel tanks to keep the fuel from gelling.
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09/26/05, 05:42 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 160
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Sue, i would like to see those pictures of the genny that runs off of wood chips. Plus any info you can fill me in on. I have heard of it but havent seen it. Thanks
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09/26/05, 08:15 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 117
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Cool
Quote:
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Originally Posted by magdabauer
we have 4 12V deep-cycle batteries, a clarke battery charge-booster, and a trace inverter. i bought a very highly insulated HUGE refrigerator/freezer (freezer on the bottom) and turn it off at night (it retains temperature without cycling because nobody's up to open the door). i can use the electric dryer only when the generator's running. all our light bulbs are the energy-saving kind. i watch my energy use without being stingy, for example, i now make coffee with an old-fashioned corning basket-kind (drip) coffee pot on the stove rather than with an electric coffee maker, use the microwave sparingly, and shut off all electrical things that have clocks running even when the appliance is off (microwave, radios, tv).
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Good solution! I love it when the utilities and government taxes get their noses thumbed at them!
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09/26/05, 10:23 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 464
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We bought a listeroid slow speed diesel and generator from George at utterpower.com, plus a bundle of spare parts for future assurance of keeping it running for life, and with shipping it all came to only about $2000.
It will run 8 HOURS on a gallon of diesel or vegoil, and runs at only 650 rpm. slow=long, long life.
check it out...
__________________
You can't ride, til you get on....
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